Judges of Lake County

Circuit Judges

• The Honorable Mark L. Levitt, Chief Judge
• The Honorable Christen L. Bishop, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable James K. Booras, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Judge R. Christopher Ditton, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Patricia S. Fix, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Judge John L. Joanem, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Sharmila K. Manak, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Reginald C. Mathews, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Michael G. Nerheim, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Jorge L. Ortiz, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Victoria A. Rossetti, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Joseph V. Salvi, Circuit Judge  
• The Honorable Daniel B. Shanes, Deputy Chief Judge
• The Honorable Marnie M. Slavin, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Charles W. Smith, Circuit Judge
• The Honorable Christopher R. Stride, Circuit Judge

There are 16 circuit judges in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges are elected to terms of six years. When a vacancy occurs, the Supreme Court of Illinois may choose to appoint a replacement to serve until the next general election. Retention of elected Circuit Judges is by a non-partisan ballot in a general election. A 60% majority vote is required for retention.

Associate Judges

• The Honorable Luis A. Berrones, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Michael B. Betar, Associate Judge
• The Honorable David P. Brodsky, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Randie K. Bruno, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Janelle K. Christensen, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Raymond D. Collins, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Patricia L. Cornell, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Stephen M. DeRue. Associate Judge
• The Honorable Ari P. Fisz, Associate Judge 
• The Honorable Bolling W. Haxall, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Daniel L. Jasica, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Charles D. Johnson, Associate Judge
• The Honorable D. Christopher Lombardo, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Jacquelyn D. Melius, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Christopher B. Morozin, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Paul B. Novak, Associate Judge 
• The Honorable Veronica M. O'Malley, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Theodore S. Potkonjak, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Helen S. Rozenberg, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Stacey L. Seneczko, Associate Judge
• The Honorable James K. Simonian, Associate Judge
• The Honorable George D. Strickland, Associate Judge
• The Honorable Donna-Jo Vorderstrasse, Associate Judge

There are 25 associate judges who serve four-year terms assigned to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. When a vacancy occurs, the 16 Circuit Judges appoint a new Associate Judge. The Circuit Judges interview applicants who qualify for the Associate Judge position. The Lake County Bar Association also conducts a Bar poll and makes recommendations to the Circuit Judges. The Circuit Judges then meet to select two candidates for the position, whose names are then certified to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). The AOIC prepares the ballots and sends them to the circuit judges, who vote by secret ballot. The ballots are returned to Springfield where they are tabulated for an official ballot count. The candidate with the greatest number of votes is appointed. Retention by reappointment requires a 60% majority of circuit judges voting.

For More Information

• Courtroom Assignments
  
• Past and Present Chief Judges
• Past and Present Circuit Judges